Featherweight Kevin Walsh secured the biggest win of his career by defeating Michael Conlan in an uneventful split-decision victory tonight at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
Walsh (20-0, 10 KOs) claimed the WBC International title in his first fight on away soil. The 33-year-old American came to Northern Ireland with little reputation, but he will go into the top 15 of the WBC world rankings with the unexpected victory in Conlan’s hometown.
Conlan (20-4, 10 KOs) was returning to the venue for the first time since he was stopped by Jordan Gill 15 months ago. The devastating seventh-round defeat followed a fifth-round knockout loss to IBF champion Luis Alberto Lopez in the same arena. Conlan moved to trainer Grant Smith in Sheffield after the consecutive defeats, looking to mount a third attempt at a world title. The 34-year-old rebuilt with victories against Asad Asif Khan and Jack Bateson, but the slightly unlucky loss to Walsh leaves the prospect of fighting for a world title a long way off.
The first round was incredibly cagey. Conlan was creeping forward but not pulling the trigger against an incredibly hesitant Walsh. Conlan did sneak a jab through, but Walsh landed a better left hook.
Conlan was bleeding from the forehead in the second, but there was little else to report in another quiet round. The pair traded to finish the period, but nothing of significance connected. There was little else to write home about in round three either, other than a well-placed right hand toward the end of the session and Conlan switching his stance.
Walsh’s corner told him to “get moving” ahead of the fourth round, but the American remained hesitant on the back foot for the entire three minutes. Conlan had switched his again stance to southpaw, which caused Walsh some confusion.
DAZN commentator and former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton had scored the fight even at 38-38 sat ringside.
There was nothing to report from a quiet round five. Walsh continued to move on the back foot, as Conlan still couldn’t let his hands go. Walsh looked a little livelier at the start of the sixth, landing a right around the guard—his first connecting punch for a couple of rounds. Conlan continued to switch his stance, which was frustrating Walsh, but it was another uneventful round.
Halfway through the seventh, Conlan seemed more determined to press the fight, landing glancing shots during a messy combination. The Irishman landed a good right to the body in the most entertaining round of the bout. Walsh attempted to kick Conlan in an obvious sign of frustration to end the three minutes.
Conlan took a right hand to kick off round eight, giving Walsh the confidence to come forward a little more, but he was caught him with a counter hook for his ambition. Conlan worked the body well ahead of landing a nice jab in the closing minute, working off the front foot to take the round. The television replays showed more foul play by Walsh, as he tried to stamp on Conlan’s foot.
The pace slowed again in the ninth, with Conlan trying to draw Walsh forward, but the American remained unable to launch any significant attack. Walsh had a tiny moment of success as the round came to an end, but again, he refused any attempt to capitalize.
Frampton had unofficially scored the contest 87-84 going into the final round.
Walsh cornered Conlan at the start of the tenth and final round, but his combination was launched on the guard as the target moved quickly out of danger. Walsh landed a decent right hand, which he certainly admired, but it would end the attack. Conlan worked behind a varying stance to close the fight, as the cut on his forehead had reopened. But the general feeling was that Conlan had done enough in a very boring fight.
The judges scored the bout: 97-93 for Conlan, and 96-94 twice for Walsh.
The defeat leaves Conlan’s chances of fighting for a world title looking incredibly bleak. However, his promoter Kalle Sauerland said, “there is a rematch clause” in a post-fight interview with DAZN, who was also “shocked by the decision,” which sees MF Pro launch their first main event with a loss.
Kieran Molloy Secures IBF European Title in Chief Support
Welterweight Kieran Molloy picked up his first title in what was also his first 10-rounder in the chief support. The 27-year-old from Galway secured the vacant IBF European title with a wide unanimous-decision victory against Xavier Kohlen.
Molloy (14-0, 7 KOs) started well, boxing his way through the first half of the fight. But Kohlen fought back to claim rounds six and seven. Molloy came on strong down the stretch, digging in to clearly claim the last three rounds. The judges scored the contest: 100-90, 99-91, and 98-92.
Molloy will move into the top 15 of the IBF rankings, where Belfast’s Lewis Crocker is world champion. Kohlen’s record moves to 15-3-1 (7 KOs) following his first loss in three fights.